Lagawan

Yesterday, me and a friend decided to rediscover Manila and to be a tourist for the day so we went there armed with our digital camera, extra battery, extra film for thr SLR, shades, sun block and last but not the least money for the entrance fee. OUr first stop was San Agustin Church.

San Agustin Church is the oldest stone Church in the Philippines. It was built in 1587 and was designed by Juan Macias. The Church was completed in 1607 under the supervision of the Augustinian Father namely, Francisco de Bustos, Ildefonso Perez, Diego de Avila and Brother Alonso de Perea. The church has suffered a lot and was able to stand the test of time. It has withstood the bombings of World War II, numerous typhoons and earthquakes that reduced the city to shambles and also it was restored many times.

Well, in 1993, San Agustin Chruch was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. They stated that the San Agustin Chruch possesses exceptional universal value that deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.

I'm really proud that some people still care in preserving our heritage. I hope this will not be the only one 'coz there are many beautiful structures there that needs to be preserve and restore to its past beauty.

The restaurant has a great interior and a nice ambience. The food are not that expensive but unfortunately it has a small serving. The staff are really friendly (of course they should be hehehe... ). And lastly, the service is really good and really fast.

Ar last, after months of planning I actually joined Ivan Man-Dy's "A FEU Good Men Tour" and see the artistically fabulous Far Eastern University (FEU). We explored all the corners of the campus and it scream ART DECO, from building architecture of geometric patterns, to staircases, doors, doorknobs, gates and windowpanes. Aside from that, this campus is a big gallery. It houses the works of the well known National Artist like the sculpture of Vincent Manansala (who is a painter by the way, not a sculptor), Murals of Carlos "Botong" Francisco and Antonio Dumlao. And even the gates and the doors are all crafted under the guidance of a National Artist, Pablo Antonio. Aside from our National Artist, the campus also houses the works of Italian sculptor Monti. Well, it was really a fabulous and artistic campus.

Who would have thought that in the busy, populated, traffic congested Manila there's a hidden gem in it? The fabulous FEU is the country's largest and best preserved ART-DECO complex. It also won an honourable mention at the prestigious 2005 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards!

I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.


OLD MANILA WALKS
by Ivan Man-DY
oldmanilawalks@gmail.com
+632-917-329-1622

Are you a designer wannabee? Do you have talent in designing, drawing or painting? Well, if you are and you want to showcase your talent just join the 1st Annual Artwork T-shirt Design Competition. The deadline of the competition will be on Nov. 15, 2007. All you need to do is to buy an Artwork product like t-shirts, caps, skirts, bags and accessories to be able to join. Then you need to register for only 50 pesos, I repeat for ONLY 50 pesos, and they will give you a plain t-shirt to work on.

The prizes for the competition are: Grand Prize trip for 2 in Singapore with PHP 25,000 pocket money. 2nd Prize PHP 15,000, 3rd Prize PHP 7,000 and for the finalists PHP 3,000. So, what are you waiting for? Go to the nearest Artwork store and join the fun! And see you on Nov 15 at the judging venue. Well, as if I'm joining the said competition :) I'm NOT 'coz I promised my friend that I'll help her with her entry. But let's just wait and see.

Tomorrow will be the start of the Masskara Highlights and as what I had said, I'll go home in Bacolod and celebrate it, but unfortunately I can't wahhhhh.. My sister told me that I have to stay here in Manila until November. I don't have a choice 'coz she will be the one who'll pay for my plane ticket hehehe... That's what you get if you don't have a work and money hehehe.. I really hope that I can go home in November and attend the Tourism assembly.

Anyways, I'm making a new layout right now but I don't know yet if I'll use it here or upload it as a free layout in Koficcino Designs. Well, here's the screenshot of the retro (in blue) layout.

Early this morning, I went to SM Megamall around 8:30 for my first (and I hope not the last) Bloggers' Breakfast at Sugarnot. And thanks to Enrico for bugging me for days just to go. Actually he's been inviting me to attend press cons, launchings, blogger events and so fort and so on, but my usually reply was "ok! Thanks but no thanks!" or "Sorry, I don't know anyone there, I'll just get OP". Well, I don't know what came to me and I said "sure why not?!" Maybe because I'm about to go back to Bacolod and I want to grab the chance to experience it and meet fellow bloggers. Well, whatever the reason is, I'm grateful that I went and meet this bloggers who were present during the breakfast, namely: Bea and Mark of Clickthecity, Ajay, Marc, Nina and Ryan, Noemi and Eric. And before I forget, we also met Sugarnot! CEO Wolf Lambsdorff, who told us everything we need to know about the company.

Sugarnot! is the first and only sugar-free coffee shop in the country. Not only do they serve coffee but also they offer meals, cake. Well, this coffeshop/pastry shop is really good for diabetics and dieter who wants to satisfy their sweet tooth without worrying about their sugar intake and counting calories of what they are about to eat for sugarnot! offers a sugar free, low-carb and low-fat goodies. They uses Isomalt sweetener in their concoctions as an alternative to sugar for it only contains 2 calories per gram.

Well, my favorite in all the food spread in front of us earlier was the Last Temptation their all time best-seller. It is really sumptuous and you won't think that it is sugar free. Everything just tastes good from coffee to pastries. And what's best to my first Bloggers' Breakfast are the take home goodies. Yippie! More Last Temptation, Oatmeal cookies and yummy Ensaymada. We were also given Gift Certificate and a VIP card which entitle as to a 10% discount.

October is here again and what else are we expecting? Of course the month long celebration of the Bacolod Masskara Festival!

This festival was conceived in 1980 amidst the sugar slump by a group of local government, civic figures and artist as a support to left-up the City's economy.

October 1 - Monday Festival Opening
Food and drinks kiosks will operate until Oct. 21 (Public Plaza and SM City)
Magica MassKara (Orange Gallery) - Ongoing till Oct. 31
Oct. 13, 2007

MassKara Queen Pageant
Oct. 18, 2007

Countdown to Charter Day

Street Party Street Dancing Competition Schools category
Oct. 19, 2007

CHARTER DAY celebration
Civic Military Parade
Electric MassKara
MassKara Fantasy Costume Show
Oct. 20, 2007

Street Dancing Competition Barangay Category
Masquerade Ball
Electric MassKara
MassKara Drum Beating Contest
Oct. 21, 2007

Street Dancing Competition Open Category
CLOSING

The Lorenzo South Resort is a 28-room AA resort nestled in the 4 kilometer stretch of refined white sand beach and blue crystalline waters of Boracay Island, Philippines. It is one of the pioneering resorts in the Island, owned by The Jimenez family. The resort is just a short walk from the center of the Island where everything is happening, from shopping to night life. They offer plush amenities, great view of the beach and good service. Aside from that, the resort also has a diving center: NEW WAVE DIVING (PADI Accredited) and a fabulous Spa!

Getting There:
Via Kalibo: Fly from Manila to Kalibo with PAL or Cebu Pacific, from Kalibo Airport take a 2 hour ride to Caticlan Jetty Port (mini-van/bus) and 15 mins pump boat ride to Cagban Port. Via Caticlan: Fly from Manila to Caticlan Airport with SeaAir or Asean Spirit, then ride a tricycle (3mins) from the airport to the Jetty port and 15 mins pump boat ride to Cagban Port. From Cagban ride a tricycle to Angol Point and take a 3 minute walk to the resort.

LORENZO RESORTS
Angol Point, Brgy. Mano-Manoc, Boracay Island, Malay Aklan, Philippines

Booking Office : 10 John F. Kennedy Street, Project 8, 1106 Quezon City, Philippines . Telephone Numbers: +63(2) 928-0719 . +63(2) 926-3958 . +63(2) 926-4152 . Fax Numbers: +63(2) 926-1726 . Email Addresses: reservations@e-boracay.com . sales@e-boracay.com

st Monday, my friend MM, Mei and I went to Greenbelt for a quick lunch, or should I say dinner 'coz it's already 4PM. While, brainstorming (hahaha..) where to eat, one of our friend, Tintin, text that we should try Tropezz Restaurant Bar 'coz according to her the place ambience is really good and the food are great. So, we went there, even though we don't have an inkling on what to eat.

When we arrived at Tropezz, we asked the waitress what’s their best selling food and she said we should try Spag tropezz. So Mei decided to order Spag Tropezz and I ordered Linguine de adobo, while MM, who arrived 2hours later, ordered Tropezz belly mucho. Well, the food is great, the servings are very large and what’s best is the prices are affordable. Also if you're hanging out with friends they have a live band every night around 9PM 'till the wee hour in the morning.

Well, this is a must try Restaurant Bar. So, what are you waiting for?

Tropezz Restaurant Bar

Come and discover the world under the sea at the Manila Ocean Park. The first world-class marine themed park to adopt a fusion concept, bringing together an Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, a mall, hotel, restaurant and multi-purpose function facilities in one complex.

This is the Philippines' first state-of-the-art oceanarium and the first largest aquarium to be built in the country. You will see here a wide variety of species, such as sharks, fishes and invertebrates indigenous to the country and the Southeast Asia. It has a 25-meter long underwater tunnel that are surrounded by awesome creature. And this will be a great experience for Filipinos for this is comparable to the world's best.

Well, people don't have to go to far away places just to learn and experience swimming and diving with fishes for you can do this at the Manila Ocean Park Open Water Marine Habitat. But unfortunately you will have to hold on a little longer for the Open water Marine Habitat will be opening on July 2008, while the 100 room Boutique Hotel will be opening on April 2008.

Well, this will be located behind the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines 1000. For more information please visit Manila Ocean Park website. So see you at the opening!

The 18th Philippine Travel Mart, also known as “Sale ng Bayan” just opened this after at the Megatrade Halls, 5th flr. Bldg B of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. This was organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) with global visions events and marketing network and various stakeholders in the travel industry.

This is a great way to save on your trips around the country 'cos the travel show promises bagsak presyo on airfares and travel deals. Well, there are more or less 160 companies who joined the said event, so you can compare prices, resort facilities and location in one setting. Just imagine travel deals up to 50% off!

SO, now is your chance to enjoy SAUD BEACH in Ilocos, who's listed as the top 10 Asia's Best Beach, the white sand beaches of Boracay, the wild rapids of Cagayan de Oro, the Rice Terraces or wander at the street of Vigan and see those old Spanish houses.

Well, the opening ceremony started around 1PM with a foot parade, then the Ceremonial banging of the gong, Invocation with DOT Regional Directors, National Anthem, Welcome address by Mayor Abalos, talks about Tourism, then the cultural show and so fort and so on. Sorry, but I went home early.

Anyways, what are you waiting for? Hurry and get your dream vacation. Or just walk around and know more about the Philippines. See you at the fair!

Here are some of the pictures I've taken at the Travel Mart:

Well, I'm always online and I come upon unique and great sites that I want to share with you for today's thursday thirteen. This sites are for those who love to travel, who's into graphic designs and for those who are looking for a great layout/template and tutorials. I hope you'll like it too. Check 'em out.

1. naomi.se - One of my favorite website. She's really a great artist, very creative and has a unique idea.
2. halfproject - A portal for Pinoy graphic artist. They showcase the arts of it's members and they also have great tutorials.
3. DeviantArt - Where ART meets application! This is the largest art community in the world wide web. Members in DA can submit art, collect favorites, track their friends or favorite artist and interact with fellow DA members. And what best with this site is they have tutorials for begginers.
4. Eternalize Bliss - "a place where simplicity and mere sophistication are blended into every design" as what the owners said. They offer a wide variety of beautiful and sophisticated graphics.
5. Relentless Designs - Well, this site also makes cool pre-made layouts for those who have few other resources.
6. Krystalis Design - The site provides an eye-pleasing, quality layouts and avatars for free and the graphics ranges from anime to abstract art.
7. Aethereality - A design portal that offers pre-made layouts, PNG, avatars, brushes, testures and everything else needed for website enhancement and also tutorials to hone your design skills.
8. Summer Skies - A graphic resource site who provides free pre-made designs, wallpapers, photoshop brushes and tutorials.
9. Virtual Tourist - One of the best travel sites ever. They offer the best travel guides, hotel reviews, travel deals and everything and any thing about travelling. You can also interact with VT members by chatting with them or by attending VT meetings worldwide.
10. Paradise Philippines - One of the best travel blog about the Philippines. Their goal is to provide a community for travel bloggers. They also offer comprehensive travel guide for travellers.
11. Travel Philippines - Want to know more weekend gateaway? Just check this out. This site is one of the best site about the Philippines. It also have information on how to get a visa (for foreigners). It's always updated and it has great pictures.
12. Byahilo - A blog of a traveller who spends his time exploring the Philippines. And captures every moment of it in films.
13. Ivan About Town - A travel blog by a travel freak, frustrated historian and heritage activist.

Well, today is my birthday and we (me and my sis) celebrated it at CrustAsia. My sister wants me to invite my friends for dinner but unfortunately they are not available. I told her that I'll just treat my friends out for dinner the next day. Anyways, our first plan is to eat at burgoo (podium) but when I arrived there, I was craving for seafood, so we ate at CrustAsia instead. We ordered garlic oil Lobster, buttered oatmeal shrimp, kangkong lechon and bagoong rice.

I like eating there 'coz the food are scrumptious, especially the Garlic Oil Lobster. The design of the place is really good and it has a nice ambiance. And the good thing is the price is not that expensive.

Well, I just want to thank my sister for it. And thanks to everyone who greeted me.

CrustAsia
P o d i u m , O r t i g a s
Scrumptious food, good ambiance and friendly crew.

Kultura Filipino has a show at SM Megamall until Sunday, Aug 26, 2007. They showcase the World Class Philippine craftsmanship. They are a one-stop shop for unique Filipino products from shell crafts from Cebu, to fabrics from Mindanao and furniture’s from Negros. Aside from that Kultura Filipino also sells a lot of products like accessories, clothes, bags and furniture from all over the Philippines.

Anyways, this store is worth checking out. Go visit their show at SM Megamall and you will be given a glimpse of the actual pina weaving, Cigar making and hand embroidery, while musicians play at the background.

Roll, add more dried leaves, then roll, then paste

Put in the wood for finishing touches. Put in the box. Taran.. the FINISH product

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were designed by an Argentine-American architect named Cesar Pelli and were completed in 1998 and became the tallest building in the world, from 1998 to 2004, until the Taipai 101 took over. But upto this day it is still the world’s tallest twin tower.

With Papa Merlion at SENTOSA ISLAND.

This was taken on our 2nd day in Singapore @ Sentosa Island. Well, on our 1st day there we went to see the much talk symbol of Singapore 'the merlion' in Marina Bay, unfortunitely she was on a shower. So instead we had our photo taken with the baby merlion. And now with the Father Merlion who's the biggest of the 3. I don't know when will we have our photo with the real one. I hope soon.